Chapter 3
The demolition order reached me through a whisper.
"Luna—I mean, Avayah." Mira, an Omega who scrubbed pots in the kitchen, caught my wrist as I passed. Her eyes darted nervously down the corridor. "They're tearing down your family's cave today. The machines are already heading there."
My heart stuttered. "What? Today? It's supposed to be next week."
"Everly moved it up." Mira's voice dropped even lower. "She wants it done before the full moon ceremony."
I stumbled back, my mind racing. The cave—my ancestral den—held more than just stones and memories. My parents' sacred heirlooms were still inside: my mother's silver pendant with the moonstone, my father's carved wooden wolf that he'd made before I was born.
"Thank you," I whispered, already moving.
I ran, ignoring the shouts of the kitchen Beta who spotted me fleeing. My feet carried me across the pack grounds, past wolves who quickly averted their eyes. I was nothing now—less than nothing—but I couldn't let those treasures be destroyed.
The northern border was a fifteen-minute run. I pushed myself harder than I had since the mate rejection, feeling Silver's weakness echo through our bond. She wanted to help, but we both knew she didn't have the strength to shift anymore.
"Please," I begged her as I ran. "Just a little longer."
The cave came into view—a small opening in the hillside that had sheltered my ancestors for generations. In front of it stood a massive yellow bulldozer, its engine rumbling like a predator's growl.
I slowed, scanning the area. No workers in sight. Maybe I could grab what I needed and escape before—
"There she is."
Everly's voice sliced through the air. She stood on a small ridge above the cave, her hand resting on her still-flat stomach. The wind carried her scent—vanilla and something sickly sweet.
"Perfect timing," she said, her lips curving into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I was worried you'd miss the show."
"What are you doing?" I demanded, stepping closer to the cave entrance.
"Making room for progress." She waved a hand dismissively. "Your little hole in the ground is going to be the foundation of my Luna's Garden. Don't worry—I'll put a plaque somewhere. 'Built on the ruins of Avayah's pathetic past.'"
My hands curled into fists. "This is sacred ground. You can't—"
"Oh, but I can." She raised a megaphone to her lips. "Operators! We're clear to begin!"
The bulldozer's engine roared louder. I lunged toward the cave entrance, but Everly's voice stopped me.
"Wouldn't want anyone to get hurt in there," she called sweetly. "Though I suppose an 'accident' would solve so many problems."
The threat was clear. She wanted me dead.
I backed away, my heart breaking as the machine's massive claw swung toward the cave entrance. The first impact sent stones cascading down, dust billowing into the air.
"No!" I screamed, watching centuries of history crumble.
But I was too late.
The bulldozer pushed forward again, this time striking deeper into the cave structure. Ancient wooden supports groaned, then snapped like twigs. The ground beneath me trembled.
"Stop!" I cried, coughing as dust filled my lungs.
The machine kept moving.
I stumbled backward, but my foot caught on a root. As I fell, the ground gave way beneath me—a hidden chamber collapsing as the cave's integrity failed.
Darkness swallowed me.
Pain exploded through my body as beams and stones crashed down around me. Something heavy pinned my legs. Something else pressed against my chest, making it impossible to breathe.
"Help," I whispered, though no one could hear me.
Silver howled weakly inside me, trying to gather strength to shift, but the broken mate bond had drained her too much.
*Dying*, she whimpered. *We're dying.*
Through the chaos of collapsing rock and wood, I heard voices above.
"Creed!" Everly's voice, panicked now. "Creed, come quickly!"
Heavy footsteps approached, then stopped.
"Avayah?" Creed's voice sounded strange—horrified. "What have you done?"
"Me?" Everly's voice turned shrill. "I told them to wait! She must have gone in after them!"
The weight on my chest increased. Black spots danced across my vision.
"Get her out!" Creed shouted, but his voice was fading.
As consciousness slipped away, I heard a new sound—a roar that shook the very earth. Not thunder. Not machinery.
Something else entirely.
A presence so powerful it made the air itself tremble.
"AVAYAH!"
The voice cut through everything—the dust, the darkness, the crushing weight.
Then nothing but darkness.
Until strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me from the grave of my ancestors.
"Stay with me," a deep voice commanded, his Alpha power flowing into me like a lifeline. "Stay with me, Avayah."
Mitchell Knight's face swam into focus above me, his dark eyes fierce with determination.
"I've got you now," he said, cradling me against his chest as he lifted me from the rubble. "You're safe."
Behind him, Ironclaw wolves knelt on the ground, their bodies forced down by his overwhelming Alpha aura.
Including Creed, who stared at us with wide, disbelieving eyes.
You may also like
